All articles tagged with #somerset
Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling author and former Conservative politician, died at age 86 on Monday, just one day before the release of his final novel, 'Adam and Eve.' In his last week, he visited Wellington School in Somerset, where he expressed nostalgia for his upbringing. His career was defined by massive commercial success, political prominence, and significant scandals, including a 2001 perjury conviction.
An amateur detectorist unearthed a large 48-gram Roman gold ring dating to 279 AD in Somerset, featuring an intaglio of Victoria, the goddess of victory, in a chariot. The Ilminster Ring, found in 2018 as part of a hoard, has been purchased by the South West Heritage Trust for about £78,000 ($105,000) and will be displayed at the Museum of Somerset, alongside other regional finds like the Frome Hoard and Chew Valley Hoard.
An amateur metal detectorist in Somerset uncovered a 48-gram gold Roman ring dating to around 297 AD, engraved with the goddess Victory on a two-horse chariot. The ring likely belonged to a wealthy Roman resident and will be displayed at The Museum of Somerset after acquisition by the South West Heritage Trust, which paid about £78,010 for the ring and coins found in the same field. The finder, Kevin Minto, shared his reward with a friend and used part of it to pay off his mortgage. Under UK law, treasure must be reported and the acquisition is overseen by the British Museum. The find highlights South Somerset’s Roman-era wealth and trade along routes like the Fosse Way.
On a Somerset beach, 11-year-old Ruby Reynolds and her father found jaw fragments dating to about 202 million years ago, leading scientists to name Ichthyotitan severnensis, a colossal ichthyosaur potentially around 82 feet long—the largest marine reptile known—based on skeletal jaw evidence; the discovery, described in PLOS ONE, highlights how citizen science and coastal erosion can rewrite natural history.
British astrophotographer Josh Dury captured a striking predawn image of comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) rising above the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England, as light pollution created a false dawn; the bright nucleus and a tail spanning about 10 degrees are visible to the naked eye ahead of PanSTARRS' perihelion around April 19–20, using 33 long-exposure frames with a Sony A7S III and a 135mm lens, and the comet likely originates from the distant Oort Cloud with an orbital period of about 170,000 years.
A new Sherlock series, Young Sherlock, is being shot across Bristol and Somerset, with spots like Broad Street and Underfall Yard doubling as Victorian London settings. Writers tweaked scenes to fit the locales, and additional filming took place in South Wales and Shepton Mallet Prison, which was transformed to resemble a 19th-century jail; local authorities and venues are hopeful the production will boost filming revenue for sites like Underfall Yard.
Walmart is closing some stores early in Pennsylvania as a snowstorm disrupts the region, with Johnstown and Somerset locations closing at 4 p.m. and the Ebensburg store closing at 3 p.m.; editors will update if additional closures are announced.
Remnants of the world’s oldest fossilized forest, dating back 390 million years, have been uncovered in Somerset, England, making it the oldest known forest in the world. The discovery sheds light on the early development of forests during the Devonian Period, revealing the presence of Calamophyton trees and cladoxylopsids. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the lack of significant plant fossils in the area and provides valuable insights into the ecological and geological history of early forests and their impact on landscapes and river systems.
Scientists have discovered remnants of the Earth's oldest fossil forest in Somerset, U.K., dating back 390 million years. The fossils, identified as cladoxylopsids, provide new insights into the evolution of trees and their ecological impact. These pioneering trees, known as Calamophyton, were shorter and had hollow trunks with woody supporting strands, shedding vegetation litter as they grew. The discovery sheds light on the transformative role of early forests in shaping Earth's development and the interaction between water and land.
The first two NHS patients in Somerset have been treated with a new weight-loss pill that contains a gastric balloon filled with water, making people feel fuller for longer and eat less. The treatment, approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) in 2020, can be delivered in 15 minutes without the need for an endoscopy, hospital bed, theatre time, or anaesthetic. The pill is part of a full program involving dietary support and care, offering meaningful weight loss and potential benefits for patients with Type 2 diabetes. The manufacturer, Allurion, has been in talks with NHS trusts about rolling out the treatment since its approval.
Adam Gauthier, the driver accused of killing a Seekonk teen and his grandparents in a drunk driving crash on Christmas night, is now facing new charges, including manslaughter while operating under the influence and motor vehicle homicide. The crash resulted in the deaths of the 15-year-old grandson, Jacoby Arruda, and his grandparents. Gauthier, who was also injured in the crash, has been held on $100,000 bail and will be arraigned on the new charges in Fall River District Court.
In Somerset, a 50-year-old woman was hit by a Dodge Caravan driven by an 84-year-old man from Fall River. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. on Saturday near 1176 County St. The driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with the Somerset Police Department's investigation. The woman received initial treatment from Somerset Fire and was then taken to the hospital for further care.
In Somerset, Massachusetts, a third victim, 68-year-old Donna Arruda, has died due to injuries from a Christmas Day wrong-way DUI crash. The accident, which also claimed the lives of her grandson and husband, has led to new charges against the driver, Adam Gauthier, including manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence. Gauthier is scheduled to appear in court on January 9.
A fatal crash in Somerset, Massachusetts, involving a motorcycle and another vehicle has claimed the lives of two people, including Patrolwoman Kourtny DeForitis from the Seekonk Police Department. The female passenger was transported to the hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. The driver of the motorcycle has not been identified, and the driver of the other vehicle was sent to the hospital in an unknown condition. The details of the crash are still under investigation.
Johnny Depp has revealed in an interview with Somerset Life that he prefers a quiet life in Somerset, where he resides on an 850-acre estate. The actor, known for his Hollywood lifestyle, insisted he isn't 'the great extrovert that people think'. Depp recently made a secret visit to an antiques shop in Lincolnshire to buy some guitars and was described as being 'down-to-earth' by the shop owner.